School of Education Studies

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Browsing School of Education Studies by Author "Akobi, T."

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    Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of cognitive and motor skills of Grade R learners
    (University of the Free State, 2024) Ramphele, Lerato; Okeke, C. I.; Akobi, T.
    The main aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of cognitive and motor skills of Grade R learners in the Motheo district of the Free State province, South Africa. To implement this research, four specific objectives, four research questions, and four null hypotheses, were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted an Ex-post-facto research design. The study used a quantitative research approach with a sample size of 160 respondents which comprised of 150 Grade R learners and 10 Grade R teachers. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire developed by the researcher on cognitive and motor skill development. The instrument was validated by experts in measurement and evaluation, and early childhood education. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach’s Alpha with coefficients of 0.82, 0.87, 0.79 and 0.88 for clusters A, B, C and D respectively. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions that guided the study, while an independent sample t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that the cognitive and motor skills development of Grade R learners were above average. It was also found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the cognitive and motor skills development of Grade R learners. It was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the cognitive and motor skills development of Grade R learners in the Motheo district. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended, among others, that efforts should be made by the school management, teachers, and parents, to promote activities that will enhance the cognitive and motor skills development of Grade R learners. This can be achieved by engaging the Grade R learners in activities that will promote and develop their cognitive and motor skills.